Motions

Hydrogen Power Plant

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (16:08): I move:

1. That a select committee be established to inquire into the government's election promise to deliver a hydrogen power plant, with particular reference to:

(a) major commitments within the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, including, but not limited to, the generators, hydrogen electrolysers, storage options;

(b) costings of key elements of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, including operational and capital costs;

(c) timeline of the deliverables identified within the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, including current progress;

(d) the quantity, price and timing of hydrogen required to supply industry, and the viability of any alternative sources of energy;

(e) what is the best use of hydrogen produced by electrolysis, if any, at this stage of its development;

(f) investigating the challenges hydrogen power projects across Australia, and the world, are experiencing;

(g) what is the full cost and activities undertaken by the Office for Hydrogen Power SA; and

(h) any other related matters.

2. That this council permits the select committee to authorise the disclosure or publication, as it sees fit, of any evidence or documents presented to the committee prior to such evidence being presented to the council.

I rise today to call for the establishment of a select committee to investigate the government's election promise to deliver a hydrogen power plan. This is not just about one project; it is about accountability, about transparency and about ensuring that South Australians are not paying the price for a government's mismanagement and a broken promise.

This was a flagship commitment of the Malinauskas Labor government during the 2022 state election—one of two major commitments, both of which they are failing on. The hydrogen plan was sold to South Australians as a game changer: lower power prices, economic growth and a bright future in renewable energy. Instead, it has become a costly farce. Labor's only energy policy from the last state election has now been exposed as little more than an expensive vanity project of the Premier.

We are deeply concerned about the money that has already been spent on this project. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been poured into bureaucrats' salaries, feasibility studies and overseas trips, yet there has been no tangible progress. The government promised an 8 per cent reduction in power prices. Instead, South Australians are struggling with some of the highest electricity prices in the nation. They promised the project would be delivered by 2025, yet here we are in 2025 and there has barely been a shovel in the ground. People are beginning to question if South Australian green hydrogen will ever actually happen, despite an inflated agency, the Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia.

We are not alone in our concerns. Across the world, hydrogen projects are failing to stack up. It is becoming increasingly clear that this government has dropped the ball on Whyalla whilst continuing to push their fanciful hydrogen election commitment at the expense of real, immediate energy solutions. This select committee is necessary because after six months of questioning this government has failed to provide answers. Forty-five questions remain unanswered from the September 2024 Budget and Finance Committee hearing. If the government have nothing to hide, then they should have absolutely no issue with this parliamentary inquiry. The select committee will investigate:

the major commitments within the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, including generators, electrolysers, and storage options;

the costings—both operational and capital—of this project;

the timeline for deliverables and the current progress;

the quantity, price and viability of hydrogen supply;

the challenges faced by hydrogen power projects across Australia and the world; and

the full costs and activities of the Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia.

This is about getting to the truth. The people of South Australia deserve transparency on how their money is being spent. Let me be clear: this is not about Whyalla. Everyone in this chamber understands the importance of maintaining Australia's sovereignty in steel manufacturing. The real issue here is that this government has tied the fortunes of Whyalla to a hydrogen dream that is now quickly turning into a nightmare. They promised one thing before the election and are now scrambling to shift blame and avoid scrutiny. Meanwhile, businesses and contractors in Whyalla are being left in the lurch.

If they truly care about the future of Whyalla, it is absolutely critical that the government commit to this select committee. We cannot allow this farce to continue. This government must be held accountable, and that is why we are introducing this motion to establish a committee as swiftly as possible, and we do hope we have government support on this committee. It is time to shine a light on this hydrogen hoax and ensure that South Australians get the answers that they deserve. I commend this motion to the chamber.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.